The golf planning application has been called-in by the Scottish Government for detailed scrutiny. Why? - because it threatens protected ground of national interest and its projected economic benefits might be exaggerated, of only local importance. Scottish Ministers will, in the end, make the final decision.

There will now be a public local inquiry. Not Coul will be there, putting its third-party evidence forward. This is the first time that this information is examined in detail. There was almost no sign that the Highland Council planning committee had been influenced by our efforts, so we presume we have been ignored by almost all of our local elected representatives.

IT IS WIN OR LOSE TIME

We now aim to convince the Reporters of our case at Inquiry. In turn, their report to Ministers will influence the final government decision. This is the crucial stage, where we either win a refusal or we lose Coul Links to golf.

CROWD FUNDING

To be sure of winning we need independent national experts. They will examine and compare applicant and Not Coul evidence, primarily upon economics, hydrology, ecology and planning. Their views, tested under cross-examination, will be key to influencing Reporter judgement. WE NEED TO CROWD FUND THE FEES AND EXPENSES OF THOSE EXPERTS. PLEASE SUPPORT US FINANCIALLY ONCE WE START THAT OPERATION.

OVERWHELMING SUPPORT IS NOT ENOUGH

Our 38 Degrees all-UK petition run by Andrew Weston has been signed by around 90,000 people. An equivalent petition in support of golf development achieved less than 700 names. More than 18,000 people in Scotland signed up for Andrew. Written objections to the development in comments to The Highland Council totalled 1594, against 349 in support. The public, UK- and Scotland-wide, overwhelmingly oppose this application for a golf course. NUMBERS ALONE ARE NOT ENOUGH TO ACHIEVE REFUSAL. WE NEED INDEPENDENT EXPERTS TO DO THAT. PLEASE HELP US.

Note: all members of Not Coul are volunteers working for free (pro bono) to oppose this development. Some have set aside their work almost entirely and have devoted many months of their time. Not Coul members have not and will not receive payment from any crowd-funding. Earlier crowd-funding was used to pay for web site development, pamphlets and independent expert documents on economics and landscape visual assessment.

Stop Coul Links Golf Course

Save our WILDERNESS

Save our SSSI​​

How can you build a golf course here without destroying and damaging these protected wetlands and their wildlife?